Risk assessment of public health emergencies concerned in the mainland of China, October 2022

  Objective   To assess the risk of public health emergencies, both the indigenous ones and the imported ones, which might occur in the mainland of China in October 2022.

  Methods   An internet based expert counsel was conducted to analyze the surveillance data of public health emergencies and priority communicable diseases in China reported through different channels, and the experts in all provincial centers for disease control and prevention attended this video conference.

  Results   It is expected that the number of public health emergencies reported in October may increase compared with that in September. The national COVID-19 epidemic has shown a continuous rebound trend, with a popular trend of multiple points, wide coverage, frequent occurrence and long chains. There is a risk of local clusters (community spread in some areas) and spillover to other areas. The situation is grim and complex in epidemic prevention and control. Effective coordination of COVID-19 prevention and control with economic and social development should be further consolidated in all provinces in accordance with the overall national requirements. Two deaths of plague were reported in Xizang, suggesting that surveillance and risk management of animal plague should be continued in the epidemic focus.

  Conclusion   Special attention should be paid to COVID-19. General attentions should be paid to plague.